title: A nude mouse model for the in vivo production of hepatitis B virus.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus genome-transfected HepG2 cells (2.2.15 cells) inoculated into nude mice produced tumors within 2-8 wk. Dane particles, hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase activity, hepatitis B surface antigen, and hepatitis B e antigen were detected in the serum, and 36% of mice developed antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen. In the tumors, hepatitis B surface, core, and e antigens were observed by electron microscopy and immunoenzymatic techniques. In-situ hybridization and Southern blot analysis showed hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid in the tumor. Tumors could be propagated by injection of minced tumor tissue or of a tumor-derived cell line. Liver of tumor-bearing mice as well as sera and tissues of mice inoculated with control cell lines did not show hepatitis B virus genome or viral markers. Tumors induced by both 2.2.15 and nontransfected HepG2 cells exhibited myc oncogene protein and various hepatoma-associated antigens (alpha-fetoprotein, alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin), suggesting that viral formation does not interfere with expression of these antigens. This experimental model will be helpful to study the effect of drugs on in-vivo hepatitis B virus replication and viral antigen expression.
authors.affiliation: Immunopathology Laboratory, Veterans Administration Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Zhai
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vajta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Acs
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paronetto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002460:Cell Line; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D014162:Transfection; D014776:Virus Cultivation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens